Thank you all so very much for all of your devotion and dedication to making such outstanding achievements throughout this year that will go down in history! All of your hard work and dedicated efforts are certain to turn into immeasurable good fortune and benefit for eternity. With a fresh new breath as if we were reborn, let’s start sailing once more, together, into the new year!

Translation of "To My Friends" published in the Seikyo Shimbun, based on President Ikeda's recent guidance with universal value and application

To everyone who has supported Seikyo Shimbun and all our other SGI publications (throughout this year), especially its deliverers carrying such a noble mission, all of our local reporters, and those who are in charge of subscription promotions, may I express my sincerest appreciation and respect for you all. Now, together, let's start a fresh new advancement!

Translation of "To My Friends" published in the Seikyo Shimbun, based on President Ikeda's recent guidance with universal value and application

Children's smiles are the foundation for building peace and happiness. Let’s have a meaningful and purposeful winter break strengthening our family ties and creating golden memories for both parents and children!

Translation of "To My Friends" published in the Seikyo Shimbun, based on President Ikeda's recent guidance with universal value and application

By looking back on how we did this year, let’s start setting fresh new goals for the next year. It’s important that our spirit always be that the stage on which we stand in our lives is the one on which things are just about to begin! Together, let’s create new dynamic developments!

Translation of "To My Friends" published in the Seikyo Shimbun, based on President Ikeda's recent guidance with universal value and application

Our efforts in sharing this Buddhism with others leads to the heightening and development of our life condition. May the training groups of the new Dedicated Soka Group and Gajokai members, challenge to do their very best in this area! Right now, is the moment for us to make great strides forwards.

Translation of "To My Friends" published in the Seikyo Shimbun, based on President Ikeda's recent guidance with universal value and application

The first debt of gratitude in Buddhism is "the debt of gratitude to be paid to one's father and mother.”* May our youth members shine as they repay their debt of gratitude to their parents! Doing so is the most admirable proof for all human beings of the profound growth we have made.

*The Four Virtues and the Four Debts of Gratitude - WND 2, page 636

Translation of "To My Friends" published in the Seikyo Shimbun, based on President Ikeda's recent guidance with universal value and application

Let's always remember to express our utmost appreciation to those members who are so kind to offer their homes for our meetings. At the same time let’s be sure to offer words of sincere gratitude to their family members who are also kindly supporting our activities! It’s precisely because we have such treasure castles that we can make great advancement in our own local kosen-rufu.Translation of "To My Friends" published in the Seikyo Shimbun, based on President Ikeda's recent guidance with universal value and application

Exchanging season’s greetings really can open peoples’ hearts and make an excellent start to the new year. Let's cherish our neighbours! Let’s cherish our long kept friendships! And let’s enlarge, more and more, the circles of trust around us!

Translation of "To My Friends" published in the Seikyo Shimbun, based on President Ikeda's recent guidance with universal value and application